BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Skamania County, Washington

IN THE MATTER OF }

AMENDMENT TO SKAMANIA COUNTY CODE } ORDINANCE #2005-12

TITLE 3, “REVENUE AND FINANCE”, BY }

ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 3.50 TO BE TITLED }

“TRIAL COURT IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT” }

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, meeting in regular session, having before it the need to consider amendments to Skamania County Code Title 3, “Revenue and Finance”, by adding a new section, Chapter 3.50, to be titled “Trial Court Improvement Account”; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 457 Washington Laws of 2005, filing fees for civil lawsuits in district and superior courts will be increased effective July 23, 2005 with the state’s portion of the fee increase spent on district/municipal court judge salaries, dependency defense, criminal indigent defense and civil legal services; and

WHEREAS, each jurisdiction receiving state payment for district/municipal court judge salaries shall create a “Trial Court Improvement Account” to be funded with an amount equal to 100 percent of the state’s contribution to its district or municipal court judge salaries with the funds to be appropriated for various court-related purposes; and

WHEREAS, legal notification was given in The Skamania County Pioneer and published on July 20, 2005; and

WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held on August 1, 2005 at which time all persons present were given an opportunity to speak for or against the proposed amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that a new section, Chapter 3.50, titled “Trial Court Improvement Account” is hereby added to the Skamania County Code Title 3, “Revenue and Finance” worded as follows

Chapter 3.50

TRIAL COURT IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT

New Sections:

3.50.010 Establishment

3.50.020 Deposits

3.50.030 Purpose

3.50.040 Interest

3.50.050 Effective Date

3.50.010 Establishment: Pursuant to Chapter 457 Washington Laws of 2005, there is hereby created in the county treasury a trial court improvement account.

3.50.020 Deposits: The county treasurer shall make a quarterly deposit of funds to the trial court improvement account in an amount equal to that received quarterly from the state for district court judge salaries.

3.50.030 Purpose: The purpose of the trial court improvement account shall be to fund improvements to superior and district court staffing, programs, facilities, or services as appropriated from time to time by the Board of County Commissioners.

3.50.040 Interest: Interest earned on funds in the trial court improvement account shall accrue to the account.

3.50.050 Effective Date: This ordinance shall become effective on ___________________, 2005.

ADOPTED this _____ day of August 2005.

ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Skamania County, Washington

____________________________________

Albert E. McKee, Chairman

________________________________ ____________________________________

Clerk of the Board Paul Pearce, Commissioner

____________________________________

James D. Richardson, Commissioner

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

_________________________________

Peter S. Banks, Prosecuting Attorney

Skamania County